Background of the study

Attending college can be a stressful time for many students. In addition

to coping with academic pressure, some students have to deal with the
stressful tasks of separation and individuation from their family of origin
while some may have to attend to numerous work and family
responsibilities. (1)

The entrance to the university marks a period of transition for young people. Through this
transition, students face new challenges, such as making independent decisions about their lives
and studies, adjusting to the academic demands of an ill-structured learning environment, and
interacting with a diverse range of new people. (2)

The mental health and wellbeing of university students has become an important public health
concern. (3)

Past research has emphasized the inter-role conflict and resulting stress and depression working
mothers' experience. Similar conflicting responsibilities are faced by student mothers, or mothers
attending post-secondary institutes of higher education. These women may be subject to feelings of
personal vulnerability , depression, feelings of incompetence as parents, and dysfunctional interaction
with their children. (4)

Reference:

1. Pedrelli P, Nyer M, Yeung A, Zulauf C, Wilens T. College Students: Mental

Health Problems and Treatment Considerations. Academic Psychiatry
[Internet]. 2019 Aug 21;39(5):503–11. Available from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4527955/
2. ‌Hernández-Torrano D, Ibrayeva L, Sparks J, Lim N, Clementi A, Almukhambetova A, Nurtayev
Y, Muratkyzy A. Mental health and well-being of university students: A bibliometric mapping of the
literature. Frontiers in psychology. 2020 Jun 9;11:1226.
3. Sheldon E, Simmonds-Buckley M, Bone C, Mascarenhas T, Chan N, Wincott M, Gleeson H, Sow
K, Hind D, Barkham M. Prevalence and risk factors for mental health problems in university
undergraduate students: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders.
2021 May 15;287:282-92.h
4. Daines J. Personal Vulnerability in University Student Mothers: An Examination
of Cultural Expectations and Coping Mechanisms. 2015 Jan 1;
5. ‌
6.